European Journal of Wood and Wood Products最新文献

The aim of this study was to assess the potential of the fungus Phellinus linteus in the biopulping process of Pinus sp. and Eucalyptus sp. woods chips. The physical and chemical properties of wood chips, their behavior during the Kraft pulping process, as well as the quality of the cellulose pulp and paper produced, were evaluated. Basic density, extractive content, and lignin content were lower in the biotreated wood chips compared to the control. Eucalyptus and Pinus woods treated with Phellinus linteus required less active alkali for cooking, with 20.8% active alkali for Eucalyptus and 21.1% for Pinus, respectively. A higher gross yield was observed in the treated Eucalyptus sp. chips, while Pinus sp. chips showed no significant difference compared to the control. Paper strength was greater in the biotreated Eucalyptus, whereas in Pinus, the untreated chips exhibited higher strength. The fungus Phellinus linteus shows potential for use in the biopulping process, with reduced chemical consumption and benefits in yield and paper quality.

Understanding the hierarchical and three-dimensional (3D) anatomy of wood is crucial for applications and advanced studies in wood science. However, teaching and learning this intricate anatomy can be challenging at times when relying solely on traditional two-dimensional (2D) teaching materials. To address this challenge, this article introduces a comprehensive 3D in situ visualization of softwood and hardwood structures using X-ray micro-computed tomography. Two types of visualization, full-structure and lumen-based 3D renderings, were used to exemplify the spatial morphology and features of the main anatomical structures, including tracheids, parenchyma cells, vessels, fibers, and inorganic inclusions. To complement these illustrations, selected features were also measured in 3D to describe their shape and dimensions. This article is intended as a reference resource for students, providing insights into how wood structures appear in three dimensions, and for lecturers as a supplement resource to create engaging teaching materials. Supplementary images and 3D models of wood structures are included in this article, which can be used as an advanced and supplementary toolkit for interactive viewing or 3D printing in various educational settings. This approach aims to foster the greater accessibility, interest, and understanding of the 3D wood anatomy for both students and lecturers.

Banded laminated-veneer lumber (LVL-C) is an engineered wood product valued for its high bending, tensile and compressive strength along the grain, making it well-suited for long-span, high-load members such as composite LVL I-beams. In these beams, the web is usually a unidirectional LVL, whereas the flanges are fabricated from cross-banded LVL-C to improve dimensional stability and rolling-shear resistance. This study investigates the mechanical performance of nailed LVL–LVL-C connections that link the flange to the web. Sixty push-out shear tests were carried out on eight configurations, varying (i) nail type, (ii) nail spacing (45 mm vs. 75 mm), and (iii) flange thickness (19 mm vs. 37 mm). The experiments show that flange thickness is the governing parameter: specimens with the thinner flange reached, on average, 18–20 % higher load capacity, whereas the thicker-flange specimens exhibited greater initial and secant stiffness. Two characteristic failure mechanisms were observed: single-hinge web yielding, in which one plastic hinge develops in the weak (web) member, and double-hinge composite yielding, in which a second plastic hinge forms in the strong (flange) member. These mechanisms correspond to Johansen modes (e) and (f). A nonlinear beam-on-foundation (BOF) model was developed for the nails; the model reproduces both observed failure mechanisms and the full load–slip response. Calibrating the model yields embedment strengths roughly three times the values predicted by prEN 1995-1-1, reducing the mean error in capacity prediction from 46 % to less than 1 %. A complementary linear BOF formulation confirms that the slip modulus is highly sensitive to the effective embedment depth, explaining the marked stiffness difference between the two flange thicknesses. In summary, the combined experimental–numerical programme (i) provides revised embedment parameters for spruce LVL and LVL-C, (ii) shows that current Eurocode provisions are overly conservative for these materials, and (iii) offers a validated BOF framework for designing nailed connections in LVL I-beams.

This study presents a comprehensive investigation of the bioactive properties of the condensate formed during the steaming treatment of beech wood (Fagus orientalis L.). The phenolic compound profile, antioxidant capacity, enzyme inhibition, and antimicrobial activity of the condensate were evaluated using multiple analytical methods. Rich in total phenolic content (339.20 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid levels (79.74 mg QE/g), the condensate exhibited strong reducing power in the ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP), while demonstrating moderate radical scavenging activity in the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2′-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline 6-sulfonic acid)) tests. In antimicrobial assessments, the condensate was found to be effective against Gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus as well as Candida albicans as a pathogen fungus, while showing lower activity against Gram-negative bacteria. Its antifungal efficacy was found to be notable when compared to nystatin. Although the IC₅₀ value of the condensate in α-amylase inhibition assays (1320.00 µg/mL) was weaker than that of the reference inhibitor acarbose (33.26 µg/mL), the results indicate its potential as a plant-based enzyme inhibitor candidate. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy revealed characteristic peaks associated with lignin derivatives, carbohydrates, and ester bonds in the condensate. LC–MS/MS analyses identified chlorogenic acid (1581.65 µg/g) as the major phenolic compound, along with ferulic acid and rosmarinic acid. Beech steaming condensate stands out as a valuable bioactive resource in the context of industrial by-product valorization. With its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and enzyme-inhibitory properties, it holds promising potential for applications in the food preservation, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. These findings may contribute to the sustainability of the forest industry from a circular economy perspective.

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the phytochemical profiles and biological activities of bark extracts from seven industrially significant tree species: Pinus sylvestris, Pinus nigra, Pinus brutia, Picea orientalis, Abies nordmanniana subsp. equi-trojani, Fagus orientalis, and Quercus robur. Bioactive compounds, including phenolics, flavonoids, and alkyl esters, were identified and quantified using GC-MS and HPLC techniques. A methanol: water mixture (65:35, v/v) was found to be the most effective solvent, yielding the highest total phenolic content in Abies nordmanniana and the highest flavonoid concentration in Pinus brutia. GC-MS analysis revealed species-specific distributions of key compounds such as 2-ethylhexanol, methyl stearate, and mono(2-ethylhexyl) adipate, reflecting the chemical diversity among the species. The extracts were further evaluated for their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and enzyme-inhibitory activities. Notably, inhibition of PPO and PON1 enzymes was observed, and DNA protection assays confirmed the ability of extracts to mitigate oxidative damage. These findings highlight the potential of industrial tree bark, typically a waste product of the wood industry, as a valuable source of bioactive compounds. The study advocates for its integration into the circular economy by developing high-value products for pharmaceutical, industrial, and environmental use.

A laminated bamboo sandwich panel with a grid core was developed, utilizing bamboo veneers for both surface and core layers. Four-point bending tests evaluated the effects of structural parameters—processing methods, grid count, and layer thickness—on ultimate load-carrying, deflection, strain, specific stiffness, and specific strength. The empirical results indicated that grid core processing significantly influences performance, with partition sandwich panels exhibiting 108.9% higher specific strength than interlocked sandwich panels. Increasing long grid numbers enhanced ultimate load-carrying capacity by 68.4% and specific strength by 41.7%, while short grids had minimal impact. Reducing lower layer thickness from 8 mm to 4 mm decreased specific strength by 24.2%, and reducing core thickness from 48 mm to 32 mm led to a 31.2% decline. Nonlinear load-deflection and load-strain behaviors were observed, and a simulation model successfully predicted structural performance. Compared to traditional materials, the laminated bamboo sandwich panel offers superior structural performance, reduced environmental impact, and cost reduction, making it highly suitable for construction applications such as flooring, wallboards, and bridge decks.

Herein, we provide an overview of intra- and interspecies variability of infrared spectra of wood in the fingerprint region (1800 –800 cm^− 1). The study is based on > 5000 FTIR spectra of 108 trees comprising 20 tree and shrub species that are common and characterize the landscape in Estonia. A larger share of spectral variability was attributed to differences between annual growth rings, with a smaller contribution from differences between individual trees and growing sites. Although all species have their characteristic spectral features that differentiate them from other species, intraspecies spectral variability strongly exceeds interspecies variability. It was found that, on average, infrared spectra is not affected by sampling direction on the growing site. 25 distinct infrared bands were detected based on first and second derivative spectra. It was possible to distinguish 16 spectral regions - every species had at least one peak in 15 of these and 100% of spectra of softwoods had a peak in the 16th region at around 1265 cm^− 1. Principal component analysis revealed that spectral variability is not driven by particular spectral bands, but rather by contributions from a broad range of wavenumbers across the entire analyzed region.

Construction wood waste (CWW) is an increasing environmental burden due to poor disposal and limited recycling. This study developed an integrated process to convert CWW into biochar, soot and ash using a top-lit updraft (TLUD) reactor. The process used CWW as both feedstock and fuel, operating at a peak temperature of 351.2 ℃ for 150 min. The resulting materials exhibited distinct physicochemical properties. FTIR analysis identified hydroxyl, carbonyl and aromatic groups across all samples. SEM revealed irregular porous particles in ash, fine agglomerated particles in soot and well-defined micro- and mesopores in biochar. XRF analysis showed that biochar and ash contained over 60 wt% calcium oxide, while soot contained 35 wt% iron oxide. BET analysis indicated that soot possessed the highest surface area of 229.057 m²/g and a pore volume of 0.151 cm³/g. The study demonstrated an efficient and sustainable approach for producing multiple carbon-based materials from construction waste. The biochar, soot and ash produced have potential applications in pollutant adsorption, catalysis, energy storage and soil improvement. This work emphasizes the value of TLUD technology in reducing construction waste and advancing circular resource management.

The utilization of multi-component environmentally friendly modifiers for wood offers an effective approach to enhancing modification efficiency and improving the overall properties of wood. In this study, a ternary modification system comprising lactic acid, taurine, and boric acid was employed to impregnate poplar wood. The effects of this modification on the physical-mechanical properties, thermal stability, and flame retardancy of the treated wood were systematically evaluated, and the underlying mechanisms were explored. Results revealed that lactic acid underwent polymerization within the wood structure, with substantial polymer accumulation observed in cell lumens. The presence of nitrogen, sulfur, and boron in the modified wood confirmed the successful incorporation of taurine and boric acid. Compared with the control, the treated wood demonstrated reduced water uptake, improved dimensional stability and thermal stability, but decreased mechanical properties. Although boric acid partially mitigated the loss in compressive strength parallel to grain, further optimization is needed to minimize these drawbacks. Flame retardancy was significantly improved, as evidenced by reduced heat release and smoke production, primarily due to the synergistic effects of taurine and boric acid. Overall, this ternary modification presents an eco-friendly and efficient method for enhancing the comprehensive performance of wood.

A survey including 3112 responses from individual end users of wood cladding, from Norway, Sweden and Germany, was conducted with questions related to their experience and preferences regarding cladding with and without coatings. Based on these results and established scientific understanding of Service Life Prediction (SLP) of wood cladding, two decision trees were provided to guide end users in selecting a suitable material to meet their expectations when planning a new cladding. This approach makes the users reflect on maintenance requirements and aesthetic changes rather than choosing a product solely based on initial aesthetic appeal.